The writers of Encouraging.com are celebrating their fifteen year landmark by making their 365 daily devotional book, God Moments, available as a free digital download! A total of thirty-six GABC writers have faithfully captured “moments of God’s presence” in their lives to encourage your own spiritual journey. You can find God Moments on amazon.com, iTunes, and BarnesandNoble.com.

NIV is used unless otherwise noted.

New Beginnings

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

A new year has begun! Excitement is in the air! New Year’s Eve parties are celebrated. Fireworks are ignited. New Year’s resolutions are made. Diet and exercise regimens are started. Strategies to read the Bible through in a year are planned. Something about a new year inspires us to attempt new adventures.

A very old man represents the old year because it is about to pass away. A newborn baby symbolizes the new year because it holds much potential for wonderful things ahead. We have renewed hope that some things will change for the better in the coming year.

God incorporated newness in His creation with various cycles in nature. A new day every 24 hours. A new week every 7 days. A new month every 30 or 31 days. And so forth. Each new day, moon, season, etc. reminds me that Jesus is in the renewal business.

Things of the world get old, wear, out and die. But our new lives with Christ get newer and newer. Jesus reassures us in Revelation 21:5 that He is in the process of making everything new. Now that is exciting! But counterintuitive. Can you imagine our cars, computers and bodies getting newer rather than older?

With Christ we have:

A new life—the old life is gone [and] a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17);

A new heart and spirit—I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you (Ezekiel 36:26); and

A new mind—...Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2 NLT).

As we say goodbye to the old year and embrace the new year, let us put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

Jesus, thank you for making everything new. Continue replacing our old ways with your new ways.